How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

One of the most common questions our service center gets is, “How often should you rotate your tires?” General recommendations put how many miles to rotate tires between 5,000- to 8,000 miles. This is a general guideline though, and you can check your owner’s manual for exact recommendations for when to rotate tires for your make and model. Discover more about tire rotations, and additional service tips, with the certified mechanics at Cornerstone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram!

FWD & RWD Tire Rotation

Front-wheel drive cars send the engine’s power to the front tires, while rear-wheel drive cars send the engine power to the rear tires. Whichever set of tires is getting the bulk of power will wear our faster, so you’ll want to keep the following tire rotation tips in mind if you have a FWD or RWD vehicle:

• FWD Tire Rotation: You’ll need to make sure to flip sides when moving the rear tires. For example, the rear right tire will go on the front left. However, when moving the front tires to the back, keep them on the same side.
• RWDTire Rotation: You’ll want to invert the process above. Flip sides when moving the front tires to the back, but keep the rear tires on the same side when moving them forward.

Tire rotations are recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles for FWD or RWD vehicles. However, off-roading, heavy towing, and other driving habits can take a toll on your tires can cause you to need more frequent rotations. Contact the service team at Cornerstone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to get some specific recommendations for your driving needs.

AWD Tire Rotation 

All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles have their power distributed to all four wheels when AWD is engaged. This means that AWD vehicles need their tires rotated more frequently, about every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. If attempting your own tire rotation at home, you need to follow a specific rotation pattern for AWD modes:

1. The left rear goes to the right front spot.
2. The right rear goes to the left front spot.
3. The right front goes to the left rear spot.
4. The left front goes to the right rear spot.

Why Rotate Tires?

Rotating tires can make them last longer, saving you money in the long run. What’s more, it can improve the performance and safety of your vehicle by:

• Increasing traction on slippery roads
• Decreasing road noise
• Relieves unnecessary stress on the drivetrain

Get Your Tire Advice From Cornerstone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Rotating tires is necessary when you’re concerned about getting the most out of your car. Always make sure your tires are worn to the same standard, which means they have equal tread depth. They should also have an equal wear pattern on all sides and be evenly worn in both directions. Our service department techs are always standing by to help answer your questions about when to rotate your tires, as well as help you check your tread depth in Elk River!